The Washington critic., 1887-03-05
SMITH OR STRONG.


Pacific. Travel on the road was com.
pletely blocked, and had to make
myself as comfortable as possible at the
village hotel,
/ stood looking out Of the window
into the snowy street, wondering
whether such a blactlooking place af.
forded any facilities for pastimc or
amusement. On the opposite side of
the way my eye caught the name of
John Smith on sign over the door of
n small grocery. smiled when l saw
the familiar name. One finds It every
where. 1t belts the continent.
THAT must be Smith, | said to my.
self, as man came to the door of the
store and looked out. Having nothing
else 10 do, | took good look at him.
He was a little old man, gray headed
and weazen faced. Something In his
appearance aroused a sudden interest.
Where had l seen him.
Finally 1t all flashed upon me In q
moment. Twenty years before | had
known this John Smith in one Of the
South Atlantic States. His name at
that time was Edward Strong, and he
was well.to.do country merchant,
with wife and child. The Strong
family seemed to be happy one, and
II there was skeleton concealed about
the house the outside world did not
know it. One night Strong did not re.
turn home. His absence was so re.
markable that hiswife sat up until morn.
ing waiting for him. Still the missing
man did not appear. AT last a party of
ata tal out a.. ra1, 20. 1,t n,,
the river bank, not far from his house,
they found Strong's hat and cane.
The footprints leading to the water
r occurred, or that Strong had aimlessly
ing himself into the river. Every effort
was made to recover the body, and n
reward was offered, but without result.
merchant and after hoping against
up in despair. A nervous fever carried
her off, and in few weeks she was
followed by her child.
And now, after twenty years, Edward
Strong stood before me masquerading
as John Smith. 1t was impossible to be
mistaken. The face, the figure, and
certain tricks of gesture made me abso.
! lutely certain.
"Mr. Strong" l said, walking up to
him, "have you forgotten me!'
You have made mistake" he re.
Piled calmly. "My name Is John
Smith, and do not think that ever
saw you before"
Edward Strong" broke out, ~
am ready TO swear to your face, your
manner and your voice. knew you
for years in Boomburg When you
disappeared shared the grief of your
wife and child, comforting them as
well as i could. In those days was
your friend, and If you can make any
J., reasonable explanation of your con.
duct will stand by you again"
a puzzled, panied look came over
the mans face. He appeared to strug-
gle with some inward emotion, and
then, meeting my fixed gaze, he said:
"You are evidently sincere in what
you say. sir, but have never borne the
name of Strong. know nothing of
i Boomburg. The people here will tell
you who / am"
| was silcnced for the time. The
mans sublime assurance checked me-
May l tell you what became of
your wife and child p | asked.
MY dear sir, was the response, "of
course this annoys me, but as you seem
TO take the matter so much TO heart,
you may tell your little story. Come
and sit down by the stove"
There were no customers in the
store, and although was choking with
wrath, proceeded to make the most
=. of the invitation. AS impressively as
could, told my listener all about the
grief Of his wife after his strange dis.
appearance, and how she and her little
boy had gone to their graves mourning
for the man who had deserted them.
beats anything ever heard" said
the alleged Smith, very sad, indeed.
Do you think the fellow drowned him.
1 self, or was he the victim of robbers ?"
His audacity amazed me SO that
could hardly utter word.
T. "lIow long have you lived here 2"
asked, abruptly.
Ten years"
N, "And where did you live before ?"
" "San Francisco. | came from there
!. to this place"
n "And you can refer me TO reputable
men in San Francisco who have
n Known you from boyhood up as John
Smith I"
at would serve you right TO say that
1t Is none Of your business, was the
reply, "but will say that | can give
you the names of men who have known
me since 1S-."
"But that Is only twenty years ago,
said. "Now you are past 80. If you
cannot make a showing back Of twenty
years ago am more than ever con.
vinced that you are Edward Strong. -
The merchant rose from his chair.
and, with the same panied look that
had observed before, said:
at Is useless to prolong the Conver'
u lsatioG. You are controlled by de-
4 lusion, and it will not profit us to dis
cuss It.
Istarted to go, but when reached
the door the alleged Smith called me
back.
at Is showing again" he remarked,
"and we are not likely to be disturbed.
] have a great mind to tell you my his
tory"
"That is right, Strong" said 1, i'm.
pusively, make clean breast of It.
As one of your Oldest friends GER
Sainly shall not judge you harshly,"
My name is not Strong" he
answered quickly. II know nothing
NJ him and his affairs, but, neverthe,
less have rather peculiar history" "
Il Know nothing of my childhood
and early manhood he continued.